Why can't our cities handle heavy rains?

Arabia Weather - Heavy rain falls in various parts of the world with the onset of winter and with warnings of severe weather conditions and power outages in many areas. Due to heavy rainfall, it may lead to floods, car accidents and property damage; Because of this, we must consider the importance of planning to confront heavy rains and extreme conditions, and warn people of their potential effects, but first we must answer the question: Why cannot our cities withstand heavy rains?

Why can't our cities handle heavy rains?

Answer: Integrating city planning to deal with heavy rainfall is of critical importance to reduce property losses, reduce risks to lives, and limit any negative impacts on the natural environment, especially with regard to waterways where researchers are currently conducting studies on how to find green solutions. The environmental impact of long-term sustainability and water supply issues, and forms an important part of this research to look at how we can better design our cities, not just to prevent floods, but also to deal with these events in a way that minimizes damage and loss.

Most cities are covered with artificial surfaces such as roads and sidewalks, which hinders the soil from absorbing natural rainfall and replenishing groundwater. These impermeable surfaces increase water leakage, causing waterways to become polluted with urban pollutants, and raising the risk of flash floods.

Water-sensitive urban design in our cities

The water-sensitive urban design strategy aims to enhance natural infiltration of rainfall water, which reduces runoff and reduces pollution in waterways, especially during periods of frequent rainfall. The approach relies on the use of public open spaces and nature-based techniques for managing and restoring corridors. Urban hydro, which reduces water flow velocity, limits flood peaks, and removes pollutants from rainwater.

Researchers around the world are working to explore how to improve the use of water-sensitive urban design concepts in stormwater management. Studies provide guidance on modeling rainwater quantities and quality in this region, and analyze the challenges facing the adoption of water-sensitive urban design techniques.

The study highlights the importance of effectively directing urban design to manage water in cities, as impacts resulting from urban expansion appear to affect all aspects of the water cycle, including reducing evaporation and rainwater infiltration and increasing the volume of surface water runoff. The results indicate that sensitive urban design Water can be effective in maintaining natural water courses and reducing erosion, while integrating its objectives into the planning and land development process.

Every drop of water counts

Every drop of water counts, and individuals can actively contribute to improving water management in their cities. Most research around the world focuses on finding large-scale solutions to control excess water discharge and sewage, but there is also an individual role that residents can play.

Rainwater tanks can reduce the impact of flooding in urban areas, especially if they have sufficient capacity to absorb rainfall. It is preferable to empty the tanks before heavy rains to ensure their effectiveness. Also, regular maintenance of rainwater tank systems is essential.

Research indicates that severe storms can fill rainwater tanks very quickly, which requires checking the effectiveness of drainage and drainage systems before the storm arrives. To ensure that rainwater tanks are working as planned, it is recommended to check gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free of debris.

There are five actions individuals can take to prepare for heavy rain:

• Cleaning roads and public parks to reduce pollution that could flow into sewers.
• Encourage the growth of native grasses and shrubs around streams to slow the flow of water and purify the water.
• Allocate floodable pond areas to store water and slow its flow.
• Designing ways to store water for later use, for example, storing it underground for use in aquifers.
• Redesigning areas exposed to continuous flooding to deal effectively with it.

Also know:

9 tips to prepare for the rainy season

What to do if your phone gets wet during rain?

Sources:

csiro